The 2018-19 Budget confirms the Government’s commitment to agreed strategic initiatives, including INN prescribing and the biosimilar educational grant. The GBMA also recognises the importance of further key budget measures, including funding for new medicines and the life-saving drugs program, reflecting investment across the industry.

The Government has been consistent in its focus around biosimilar medicines uptake and last year’s budget process saw the Government agree to further its investment in educating prescribers, pharmacists and consumers as to the benefits of biosimilar medicines in the broader health context. The recent realisation of the Biosimilar Educational Grant, further highlighted in the 2018-19 Budget, demonstrates the Government’s ongoing commitment to affordable healthcare for more Australians.

Education provided under the grant activities, together with accelerated progress in the INN prescribing initiative, provides a pathway to more affordable healthcare, developed on a foundation that supports both prescriber and patient choice.

Mr Sylvain Vigneault, Chair of GBMA comments “The GBMA and its members are entering an exciting phase. It is therefore crucial to accelerate the education around biosimilars as we see the rate of biosimilar registration approvals increase in Australia. Furthermore, the uptake of biosimilars will extend the impact that GBMA members have had on the sustainability of the PBS. Continued focus on generic and biosimilar uptake drivers will result in greater access to important medical advances for all Australians”.

ABOUT GBMA

GBMA (formerly the Generic Medicines Industry Association, GMiA) is the national association representing companies that manufacture, supply and export generic and biosimilar medicines. GBMA represents all major generic medicine suppliers in Australia and more than 90% of all generic medicines dispensed in Australia. Members of GBMA ensure all Australians are offered the highest quality generic and biosimilar medicines whilst providing affordable health outcomes that benefit all Australians. Members of GBMA take seriously their role in the responsible provision of affordable medicines in Australia as described in the National Medicines Policy. The generic and biosimilar medicines sector is a high value-add sector delivering significant health and economic benefits to the Australian public. The availability of generic medicines in this country helps to deliver:

ï· Timely access to affordable medicines;

ï· Substantial savings to the PBS;

ï· Thousands of highly skilled jobs; and

ï· Domestic manufacturing and annual exports of around $300 million.

For more information, please contact the GBMA - admin@gbma.com.au or visit www.gbma.com.au